News

Pensioner birds ruffle ornithologists’ feathers

Scientists are rethinking the lifespans of birds after 16 species were found to have lived much longer than had been thought.

Findings to be released by the British Trust for Ornithology reveal that a string of British birds have set records for longevity - four breaking world marks and three European.

The most impressive is the bar-tailed godwit, a medium-sized wading bird, one of which was caught in Norfolk almost 34 years after it was tagged in the same county. The oldest bird previously found was 32.

A red-necked phalarope, a small wader, was found at nearly twice the previous maximum age: 11 years and 10 months, compared with six years.

Better identification rings have made it possible for scientists to track birds. Some experts believe climate change could be stretching birds' lifespans since warmer winters and longer summers mean some migratory birds no longer need to brave long journeys.